The Thiruvananthapuram Railway Division is all set to launch India’s first mobile app designed exclusively to assist differently-abled passengers, especially those using wheelchairs. This pioneering initiative aims to simplify and enhance the travel experience for thousands who face mobility challenges.
The app will allow wheelchair users to notify station authorities in advance about their travel itinerary — including boarding and destination stations — ensuring prompt assistance during boarding and deboarding. Currently, such passengers must either call helpline number 139 or manually approach station staff for help. The upcoming app is expected to streamline this process into a simple digital interface, making assistance more accessible and efficient.
Railway officials note that Thiruvananthapuram Division has long led the way in accessibility. In 2017, it became the first in the country to introduce direct-to-coach ramps for wheelchair users. Initially weighing 60 kilograms and requiring two staff members to operate, the ramps have now been replaced with lightweight, foldable versions—weighing just 10 kg—that can be deployed by a single porter in under 10 seconds.
Passengers have already started praising the division’s move. “This is a fantastic step forward,” said Stephen William, a regular wheelchair user from Palayam. “It will make station access so much easier for people like me. I hope other divisions follow suit.”
The Railway Division is working closely with tech experts to roll out the app within this year, and plans are underway to install the new ramps at all major stations in the division. In the first phase, Thiruvananthapuram Central, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam Junction, Thrissur, and Guruvayur will be prioritized — each catering to over one lakh passengers daily.
